North Star Rising traces the impact Minnesota's politicians have had on national politics, from its first territorial governor, Alexander Ramsey, to Vice Presidents Hubert Humphrey and Walter Mondale. Filled with colorful, little-known anecdotes and unusual historical connections, North Star Rising is a highly readable, often humorous, frequently surprising account of how the nation came to take notice of this northern Midwestern state. The book concludes with a look at recent Minnesota political figures as well as a peek at some of the rising stars of the DFL, Republican, and Independence parties. It depicts Minnesota's political involvement on the national stage from the state's infancy to its hosting of the Republican National Convention in 2008.

This book is a Minnesota Sesquicentennial Book.

"As Minnesota returns to the national political spotlight, hosting the GOP national convention in 2008, Barry Casselman has written and indispensible guide to the many contributions of the state to our national politics. This is a must read for those following the politics of 2008." - Steven Schier, Professor of Political Science, Carleton College.

The Author
Barry Casselman holds degrees from the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Iowa. He founded and published his first newspaper in Minnesota at age 29. Covering Minnesota and national politics since 1972, Casselman is now a nationally syndicated columnist who contributes regularly to many of the leading public affairs and political analysis publications. He is currently the CEO of the Preludium News Service and resides in Minneapolis.